In general, the price of Chinese weapons is still about one-third lower than comparable Russian weapons. More importantly, what China wants from Africa is resources, especially crude oil, and it has already exported substantial numbers of weapons in exchange for oil. In dealing with oil-producing countries China has an advantage over Russia, which as a major world oil producer has no need to trade weapons for oil.
This is a quick heads up. I was watching a video the other day on the latest news about Al Shabab in Somalia and a particular weapon of theirs caught my eye in the footage.(.16 in the footage) This thing is a Chinese made 35 mm automatic grenade launcher called the QLZ 87 or Type 87.
My question is who is providing Al Shabab with Chinese made automatic grenade launchers? Or perhaps they captured this weapon in one of their raids? Or with their connections with Al Qaeda, and the chaos going on throughout the middle east, AQ is able to funnel these types of weapons to them? Who knows…? The other weapons in the video were interesting as well, and if anyone can identify those weapons, please say so in the comments. Especially the rocket launchers. I would also be curious if those are Chinese versions of Russian equipment, or in fact they are Russian weapons.
Now imagine a QLZ 87 in the hands of a pirate? A launcher equipped with a 6 or 15 round drum, slinging 35mm grenades that have a better blast radius than our 40mm, and at a distance of between 600 to 1750 meters.
And if ‘the price of Chinese weapons is still about one-third lower than comparable Russian weapons’ on the African market, then logic would say we will see stuff like this out there. Especially if the quality has increased and the Chinese have made this stuff available. (that’s what the article below mentioned) Interesting stuff. –Matt
Edit: 09/02/2011- I believe the launchers in the video are Carl Gustav 84 mm Recoilless rifles.
The QLZ 87 in Al Shabab video, August 31 2011.
QLZ87 35mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
The QLZ87 (also known as Type 87) is the 35mm automatic grenade launcher developed by NORINCO in the late 1980s. Designed to provide direct fire support for infantry troops, the Type 87 is the first grenade launcher that has entered service with the PLA as a standard weapon equipment. The weapon was described as “mini infantry artillery” and has been serving with the PLA infantry (including airborne forces and the Marine Corps) at platoon and company level since the mid-1990s.
Programme
The PLA began to study the use of grenade launcher in its infantry units in the 1970s. Reverse-engineering of the U.S. M-79 40mm grenade launcher and the Soviet AGS-17 35mm automatic grenade launcher was carried out in the late 1970s, but these weapons did not enter service. In the mid-1980s, NORINCO introduced the W87 35mm automatic grenade launcher for export market, and the weapon was widely seen as an indication of success in the Chinese indigenous grenade launcher programme. By the late 1980s, NORINCO introduced new improved version of the W87 for the use of the PLA. The weapon entered service with the PLA in the mid-1990s under the designation QLZ87.
The QLZ87 is available in two variants: the standard variant and the tripod-mounted heavy variant. The standard variant with a combat weight of 12kg can be carried and fired by a single soldier and is mainly for the engaging targets within 600m distance. The heavy variant with a combat weight of 20kg is carried by a crew of three and has a longer range (>1,750m). The weapon delivers 25kg HE or HEAT grenades in either single or burst mode, with a sustained rate of fire of 45rds/min.
Compared to the U.S. MK19-3 40mm automatic grenade launcher, the QLZ87 is inferior in range, muzzle velocity, and rate of fire. However, the Chinese 35mm grenade, though lighter than the MK19-3’s 40mm grenade, has better performance in blasting radius (MK19-3: 7m; Type 87: 11m) and armour penetration (MK19-3: 51mm; Type 87: 80mm). Unlike the MK19-3, which can only be fired on tripod, the Type 87 can be carried and fired by a single soldier.
Design
The QLZ87 is a man portable, gas-operated, air-cooled, fully automatic weapon. It fires 35mm HE and HEAT grenades in either single or burst mode. The grenades are fed to the weapon using 6-round (standard variant) or 15-round (heavy variant) cartridge drum. The weapon is equipped with an optical aiming sight. The standard and heavy variants are almost identical in basic designs. The standard variant has a fold-able bipod for shooting, while the heavy variant is mounted on a tripod. If necessary, the weapon can also be mounted on vehicles or helicopters. As well as engaging ground targets, the weapon is claimed to be also capable of attacking low-flying airborne targets.
Specifications
Calibre: 35mmMuzzle velocity: 200m/s
Firing mode: Single, burst
Max range: (standard) 600m; (heavy) 1,750m
Weight: (standard, with scope) 12kg; (heavy, with scope) 20kg
Elevation: (heavy, mounted on tripod) -10~70 degrees
Traverse: 360 degrees
Rate of fire: (sustained) 45 rds/min
Grenade weight: 250g
Ammunition: HE, HEAT
Link to weapon description here.
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Russian, Chinese weapons compete in Africa
By Andrei Chang
December 19, 2008
Hong Kong, China — China is increasingly challenging Russia in the African arms trade, offering lower prices on weapons that, ironically, are often made in China with Russian technologies. Chinese products are less expensive than Russian and Western systems, similar to the Russian systems that many African countries are familiar with, easy to maintain and easy to use in training.
Many countries are therefore switching allegiance to China for their weapons purchases. A typical example is Sudan. At a 2007 military parade, the Khartoum regime showcased its China-made T96 main battle tanks and T92 wheeled armoured vehicles.
